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Power Factor Meter

The single-phase meter contains a fixed coil that carries the load current, and crossed coils that are connected to the load voltage. There is no spring to restrain the moving system, which takes a position to indicate the angle between the current and voltage. The scale can be marked in degrees or in power factor.

The angle between the currents in the crossed coils is a function of frequency, and consequently each power-factor meter is designed for a single frequency and will be in error at all other frequencies.

A power factor meter is a type of electrodynamometer movement when it is made with two movable coils set at right angles to each other. The method of connection of this type of power factor meter, in a 3f circuit.

The two stationary coils, S and S1, are connected in series in Phase B. Coils M and M1 are mounted on a common shaft, which is free to move without restraint or control springs. These coils are connected with their series resistors from Phase B to Phase A and from Phase B to Phase C. At a power factor of unity, one potential coil current leads and one lags the current in Phase B by 30°; thus, the coils are balanced in the position shown in Figure.

A change in power factor will cause the current of one potential coil to become more in phase and the other potential coil to be more out of phase with the current in Phase B, so that the moving element and pointer take a new position of balance to show the new power factor.